Ghost Month Tips: Be Careful When Staying in Hotels

With Ghost Month already underway, being extra careful about our actions and decisions is never a bad idea, whether you observe it or not. While it is not advisable to travel during this period (it lasts until September 19), it's quite inevitable to take a quick trip or two—whether for work or leisure (especially with the long weekend).

If you're traveling and staying in a hotel, here are tips according to some beliefs that you may want to keep in mind for a safe and hassle-free holiday:

Do not enter your hotel room right away.

Hotels are considered to be a “yin place”—meaning ghosts like to hang out and stay there. Before you enter your room, knock respectfully on the door. Some even go the extra mile by whispering to themselves that they're only renting it temporarily—each time they enter the room. These actions show that you are asking for permission from whatever entity that is occupying the room and that you are giving them time to vacate the place. Don't forget to turn on the lights, draw the curtains, and open the windows (if possible) so that positive energy can penetrate the room.

IMAGE Vincent Coscolluela

Do not place your shoes next to the bed.

Your shoes or hotel slippers should be placed away from the bed. Put them near and facing the door, with one shoe pointing right side up and the other facedown. Some believe that the spirits use your shoes as guide to track you down. Following this tip is said to confuse them.

IMAGE Vincent Coscolluela

Do bring protective charms (if you have them) and display these in your room.

Salt is a good antidote to combat bad energy, so displaying a glass of salt water near the bed can help fight unfriendly spirits that are lurking in the room. There are also several Feng shui charms that can help protect you such as the 7 Star Sword made from real peach wood. Shops that sell charms may have these items. You can also drop by Chinatown in Manila if you have extra time before your trip.

If you’re traveling alone or if there is an extra bed inside the room, put some of your things on top of it. This will make the bed “uninviting” to your unseen and unwanted guests. To be safe, book a room with a single bed or just the exact number of mattresses for your group. Make sure you book early and do not take the last available room as there are beliefs that say these spaces have higher chances of being haunted.